a little bit of Country on the Shore

~* some more time *~

2011-09-28T23:45:00.002-04:00

A trip to the thrift shop recently and I found this cute clock. After a few clock re-dos I knew that it didn't matter if the mechanism worked or not, I could get a new one. So for $4.99 I took it along with a few other things, which I will show you later. I wasn't a fan of the color but I knew exactly what color I wanted to paint it to put it in my living room. With the recent hurricane and power loss I realized that I needed a battery operated clock in that room, and when I saw this cutie I knew it was a perfect fit. A few coats of paint, some distressing and a new clock mechanism and TA DA!

I am loving it!!! I am having a new shelf built to go over my TV stand and it will probably end up there, so this is a temporary spot, but I love the finished product. I have been looking for some clocks and at first I couldn't find any, now I find them when I am not even looking. I will show you the other thrift store finds soon.

Have a great day!

~* problems with blogger???*~

2011-09-20T21:05:00.002-04:00

I have been having so much trouble with Blogger lately. Then I got a message that said my internet browser was no longer supported by Blogger. Hum, could that be the problem? I tried Google Chrome and it seems to have solved it. I couldn't even sign it to write a post or comment on blogs. It was so frustrating. I was using Internet Explorer and I don't know what happened but I could not do a thing on Blogger using it. I hope they either fix it or I will have to use Google Chrome whenever I want to blog. Anyway, I am going to try to catch up on all the blogging and commenting I have missed. Hope to visit your blogs soon!!!

Have a great day!

~* a giveaway *~

2011-06-11T21:50:00.002-04:00

Carol at Firecracker Kid Primitives is having a giveaway. Her stuff is awesome and I know you will want to get yourself some so head on over and check out her blog!!!

~* a renewed garden *~

2011-06-01T18:35:00.002-04:00

For the last few years keeping up with our vegetable garden has been a real chore. It was a 30' square raised bed, and we had originally used all of it for planting but in the last couple years we have cut out planting corn, so a big space of it went unused. That space then became just weeds and keeping up with those weeds was difficult and at times impossible. Dan suggested we forgo doing a garden altogether, but I love being about to pick fresh tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.

So we decided instead to make the garden space more user friendly. We decided a border veggie garden would be nice and so much easier to take care of, also allowing us to plant all the veggies we do without having extra space for weeds. So we hired someone to come and re-do the whole space. He had to build the retaining wall, move the dirt to fill in the space, level out the yard, and reseed the yard with grass seed. Dan thought it would be best if we hired someone instead of doing it ourselves. He said I would made a mess with a Bobcat!!!! Hmph! I could have done it!!! Anyway, this is how it came out, and with all our veggies planted. I actually got more veggies planted and so much more neatly then before and still have a little extra room. I have a little weeding to do, but we have had nothing but rain for the last few weeks so it was all I could do to get the plants in. But now they are, so it all upkeep now. I am really happy with the outcome.
Have a great day!

~* hello prim friends *~

2011-05-19T18:59:00.002-04:00

I changed out my wooden bowl full of rag eggs and made some rag balls. I really like the way they came out. It has been doing nothing but raining here on the East coast for the last 5-6 days and I cannot get out and finish the gardens, so I decided it was time to put the eggs away, but I really loved the look of the ragging, so I made some season free rag balls. It was nice to just sit for a bit while I ripped all those stripes of fabric.
I wrapped a pip berry garland I had around the bowl to give them a little lift since the bowl is large and even though there is 15 of them, they seem to get lost in it. I put a plastic take out container top inside the bowl under the material to give them some height as well.

Well I just got home from my birthday dinner with the family. Nothing fancy, we just went out for Chinese buffet, but it was nice to be a family for dinner. Since the kids are older, and Dan is so busy at work lately we hardly have time to have dinner as a family. I guess a birthday is as good a reason as any.

Have a great day!

~* a giveaway *~

2011-05-06T09:30:00.003-04:00

Tammy is having a giveaway. Stop by her blog and check it out, but don't be disappointed when I win!!!

Have a great day!

~* another egg makeover *~

2011-04-13T13:35:00.002-04:00

Another idea I borrowed from a fellow blogger. I saw this on another blog but she used rosettes. I thought this was something I could do easier than that. Of course, I didn't realize how long it was going to take me to make all those tiny yoyos. But it came out just as I have envisioned. Now, I cannot make a bunch of these at one time. It is a time consuming process, but I could do the yoyos over the course of the year and put them together right before Easter! But this one is done and sitting on the table bench on my kitchen table and it makes me happy to look at!!! Have a great day!

~* a giveaway *~

2011-04-08T20:53:00.002-04:00

Heather & Lori at The Keeping Room are having a giveaway. Go check it out, but don't be disappointed if I win. I'm keepin' my fingers crossed.

Have a great day!

~* I crafted!!! *!

2011-04-06T11:27:00.002-04:00

I saw this on someone's blog (sorry I don't remember where, if it was you, thanks for the inspiration!!!). It seemed so easy and since my kids are grown we have a ton of the cheesy plastic easter eggs that we don't use just hanging around in the closet. So I grabbed the bag, a pile of scrap fabric and the bottle of Elmer's glue and got to craftin'. I am so happy with the results! It is my new dough board decor! And I had a bag of leftover paper easter basket grass that was perfect. They go perfect in my prim kitchen! Now what else can I cover with some fabric and glue?!

Have a great day!

~* I want to live a simple life*~

2011-03-29T14:45:00.002-04:00

Oh, sometimes life is so complicated. How I wish things could be so simple, like in this photo. I have been purging so much junk from my home for some time now. Getting rid of all the stuff I don't use, clothes I don't wear, decorations I don't use. I like the feeling of a de-cluttered life and home. Now if I could just get my husband on board. He is a bit of a pack rat. He saves everything. "There may be a use for this or that, I may need this later" he will say and so he saves things. His workshop is a mess. But when he needs something it is there. I just don't think it is worth it to save .28 cents. But he does and so he saves things. I like things neat. So I don't like the workshop. But I love him, so I deal with the messiness. But some day it would be nice if it were neat. I like things in their place, and I think he could put things in their place if he had the time to do it, then he could find the things he needs or is looking for. I would love to live like a pioneer, when people didn't have so much, and everything they had, had a purpose. That would be such a simple joyful life!

Have a great day!

~* I need some craftin' time*~

2011-03-25T13:16:00.002-04:00

I have been so busy lately I haven't had time to do anything. Sooo many meetings, so many other things to do outside the house. I haven't even looked at my sewing machine! And it has been so cold that I haven't even thought about starting my garden seeds. But since the parade is done for the year and my meetings have slowed down I started to look at all the pictures of crafts I have saved on my computer and I started thinking of all the things I want to get accomplished this year. I can hardly wait for the weather to get warmer so I can start working on the garden and yard, and we are going to build a pergola over the patio. We've already had our mason back to have some rock walls built. Can't wait for the weather to turn!!!!! The crafting wheels are turning.....

Have a great day!

~* I've been so busy *~

2011-03-06T17:14:00.002-05:00

I have been a busy bee!!! I can't believe it's been since January since I posted. I have been up to my ears with planning my City's St. Patrick's Day parade. Now, it's all done, but the marching! I sent the program to the printer last Friday, all the planning is done. All I can do now is hope for the best! So, I thought I would stop in and read some of my bloggy friends blogs. Sorry I have been so absent! I can't wait to get back to crafting and gardening and photography and decorating! I feel like I have been on another planet! Soon I will have my days free again. I am lucky to be able to volunteer my time for worthy causes, but they do take up so much of my life. And with spring right around the corner I want to get to the store and get some flower and veggie seeds, so I can get them started.

Well, I'm off to do some ironing.

Have a great day!

~* a swap out *~

2011-01-27T11:38:00.003-05:00

I have had this shelf since the '80s. Remember when wicker what big? (Ignore the wall behind the shelf, we pulled the paneling off the wall and it had black glue on it, now we have to take the walls down and replace them)
But I was over it!!!! So over it. It was the last little bit of wicker I had left. So I used the last of my Amazon points and purchased a new shelf for the bathroom. It arrived the other day and I hung it right away. Now I love it.

I am sure I will love it even more when we finish the walls behind it. But for now, I just love the shelf. What a difference it makes! And I love that I have a little drawer to hide some essentials!

Have a great day!

~love a knock off ~

2011-01-23T18:53:00.002-05:00

I love these drinks at Taco Bell. I haven't been able to put my finger on how they were made, so tonight I searched them out. They sound so easy and so much cheaper to make yourself, huh? I am going to keep these ingredients around!!!

You’ll Need:
Sierra Mist, Sprite, or 7UP. We recommend Sierra Mist, because that’s what they have at TB.
Frozen Limeade concentrate, thawed. If you want the Cherry Limeade, use a frozen Cherry Limeade concentrate.
Ice
Limes
Fill a cup with ice. The ice is what keeps the limeade at the bottom of the cup and produces the Taco Bell look. (If it’s cold, but doesn’t have ice, you won’t quite get the same thing!)
Put 2 to 4 ounces of your choice limeade concentrate in the bottom of the glass, depending on how strong you want the lime flavor, and how big your glass is.
Fill to top with Sierra Mist. Slice lime into quarters. Place in top of glass for garnish or squeeze juice into drink. Serve and enjoy!

Have a great day!

~* a repair *~

2011-01-18T12:04:00.003-05:00

This is my old faucet, it was new when we moved in, we installed it. However, after years of my son's abuse, it leaked. Badly. So bad, last Wednesday, during the worst storm of the year so far, I had a flood under my sink. And so off to the hardware store we went to get a new one. Luckily when I bought this faucet, I bought one with a lifetime warranty. But that was of no consolation for Dan during the storm. Especially when we got stuck in the snow in the parking lot!

However! I love the new kitchen faucet! So, I can't be all that upset with the fact that we had to replace it.
What do you think?
I really like the new one so much, I think we need to replace the one in the bathrooms as well! Those were not new when we moved in, so they may go at any time, now!?

Have a great day!

~* a little early Christmas *~

2010-12-22T18:35:00.003-05:00

So my dough board arrived and while my husband teased that I could not open it until Christmas, he finally allowed me to open it and really use it. I LOVE IT. Now, I have not really had time to decorate it like I would like to have, but I did have time to throw this little candle box together. I love the finish. I opted for the prim finish, black over red, and I could not be happier with the way it came out. It will be so much fun to decorate for the different seasons and holidays!!!
I must get back now to wrapping and preparing for Christmas, as I have my Christmas morning breakfast that I host. I am almost finished wrapping, that goodness and I don't really enjoy that at all!!!
Have a great day!

~* my christmas gift *~

2010-11-30T20:48:00.003-05:00

Yeah I am finally getting a dough/noodle board. It is the only thing on my wish list this year and my husband ordered one for me. (Actually I did the ordering but he is paying!!!) It is a special order since they are made to order when the orders are placed so I may not get it by Christmas, but that is ok. I am so happy to finally be getting one. At first he thought he would make one, but as time went on he was not getting lucky on finding just the right board to make on out of, so finally we went ahead and ordered it. I am getting black over red! Of course! It will be a nice finishing touch to that part of my kitchen! I can't hardly wait!!! I did finally get my kitchen tree up and decorated. I will try and get some pictures up soon. I have been so busy with working on the parade committee. Ok, off to fold some laundry.

Have a great day!

~* ta dah *~

2010-11-16T23:57:00.005-05:00

Well, I am finally done with the hutch project. And I could not be happier with the way it turned out. The back is a dark taupe, and that contrast is just perfect!
The white made the hutch the focal point in the kitchen, but now that it is red it blends in more and fits more with the rest of the decor.

If you enlarge the above picture you will notice that my island is black over red, and now that my hutch is red, it really brings the red in the island out. PERFECT!!!

And I replaced the brass and white porcelain hardware with these black ones that I have on the kitchen cabinets. LOVE THEM!!! Like I said, we are just so pleased with the finished product. Dan was hesitant when I told him I wanted to paint the hutch red, but the trooper that he is, he went along with me, and now he is so glad he did. I am so glad I decided to go bold!!!

Have a great day!

~* whew, almost there *~

2010-11-14T19:19:00.002-05:00

This is the hutch project so far.... I am really happy with the progress. I have one more drawer and two more doors and then I am done. The back for the top is done as well, it is just drying. I may give it another coat tomorrow, it is a beige and I may need to go over the seems again, but it is for the most part done. I spray painted the hinges black to match the new hardware since I couldn't find anything that I liked as much as what was already there, just needed to change the color.

PLEASE ignore the ugly floor, it is on our to do list to remove it, there is hardwood underneath that we would like to expose, but that is just too large a project for us to under take right now. Well, I am going to try and relax for the rest of the night... I am really tired and sore!

More work tomorrow!

Have a great day!

~* a big re-do*~

2010-11-13T15:14:00.003-05:00

For some time now I have wanted to re do my hutch. I refinished it quite a few years ago when I was more country then prim and it was ok, but it wasn't really cutting it in my kitchen. I had been toying around with the idea of going black (my new fav color with almost everything) but I wanted to step outside the box a little bit. I have really been going really brave with a lot of decorating choices lately so I looked at a lot of decorating sites and thought I would do something completely different.

So here it is so far!

What do you think?

I still have to do the door and I am going with black hardware. But I am loving it so far!!! And Dan is a big fan of it, too. He was a little hesitant at first when I said "I am painting the hutch RED!" but he went along with me to buy the paint and help me empty it out and take off the doors and hardware, but as soon as I started painted we just fell in love with the new look.

I am keeping the top of the buffet natural and the back of the top with be a tan so that there will be a natural look to it and highlight the collection of Pfaltzgraff I have in it. I may even go over it lightly with a dark stain to give it an aged appearance. Well, I have to get back to work. If Dan is done I want to get to the hardware store so I can be ready with the handles as soon as I am done painting. I will post a pic as soon as I am done

Have a great day!

~* coming up for air *~

2010-11-04T09:59:00.003-04:00

Well, with the elections over I have a little bit more time, but not too much more. I have been overwhelmed with my schedule, but it's all been good. Campaigning for my "team" as it is. Plus my committees and volunteer work. But I want to start getting ready for the holidays, so I don't want to be over worked. How do you do it? I don't know!!! I try not to take on any new commitments, but it is so hard to say "no"!!! I really do enjoy helping out. I am working on a dinner now to honor a Special Olympian from our City who won the Gold and Bronze medals last July. It is so special! How can you say "no" to that!? Thank goodness hubby does most of the holiday shopping or I would be sooooo behind!

The weather here doesn't know what it wants to do. Today it is raining, but yesterday it was cold and windy. We have had some Indian Summer days of late, but we are supposed to get back to cold again. Thank goodness we end daylight savings this weekend, I can use the extra hour of sleep!

Well, blog friends, I have been reading all your blogs on Google Reader so I am keeping up on all you are doing! Maybe I will have a fun post soon!

Have a great day!

~* a new giveaway *~

2010-10-19T09:02:00.003-04:00

There is a new giveaway at the Rusty Thimble. Just click on the picture above to be directed to the blog for all the details.

Have a great day!!!

~* I see the light *~

2010-10-17T21:20:00.006-04:00

This was my light fixture in my kitchen over the sink today before my darling husband installed my new light fixture. I had been looking for some time now and finally found one online I liked and was in my price range, plus with my Amazon.com visa points it was FREE plus FREE shipping. So I ordered it and Dan installed it today. See this ugliness up close??? Now, I bought this fixture when we first moved in because there was something even uglier (if you can imagine that) installed here when we moved in. But this just didn't cast enough light ( our ceilings are very high and this light is kinda behind me when I am at the sink) so I wanted something more prim, plus something that gave me more light.
This is my new light fixture!!! YAY!!! I am so happy with the results. I have to do a bit of touch up on the ceiling as the older fixtures were much larger at the ceiling so I have a little bit of work, but I could not be happier.

Plus I can add some candle wreaths or some lamp shades at different times of the year to decorate it. But, just look at it!!! It is so beautiful!!! And, even if I didn't get it for FREE, it was only $32.00 I know, I have been looking for a long time for a deal like this!

This photo is without the flash and although it looks quite dark, it is very bright here when that light is on! Don't you think it just changes the whole look of this little corner of my kitchen?

Well, enough gushing over my kitchen light fixture! I need to find something else to keep myself busy with. I am going to go blind staring at this light all night!

Have a great day!

~* some befores and afters *~

2010-10-04T22:13:00.002-04:00

I have been busy the last few days working on a couple makeovers. I picked up a couple end tables I got free off of Craigslist. They were in excellent shape and I needed some for my livingroom so I was thrilled to get these babies.

They just needed a few coats of paint and they were a perfect fit for my prim living room. I am working on the second one now. But I am so tired from a long day, one was all I could get done today!

And if this breadbox makeover looks familiar it is because the inspiration came from Kindra at 3Guys AGirl and a Prim Place. I loved her makeover so much I "borrowed" the pattern a little with my own touch. I forgot to take a before but think hunter green with a HUGE hunter green knob! This picture makes it looks shiney but it really isn't. I love they way it came out and even though it has taken me forever to find a wooden bread box to do a makeover on, it has been so worth the wait.

Well, that is it for me today. In addition to the makeovers, I also started working on a door window curtain for my girlfriend who cannot sew, I should have that finished up for her tomorrow so she can stencil it. So, it's off to bed.

Have a great day.

~* new giveaway *~

2010-10-01T11:47:00.003-04:00

Firecrackerkid Primitives

is having a giveaway. Check out her site. I have a few of her pieces and I LOVE THEM!!!

~* hey, what's new? *~

2010-10-01T10:04:00.003-04:00

So, what is new with all of you? I know, I know!!! I have been away a long time, my only excuse it that I am so overwhelmed with all the things I volunteer for that I have no time to blog! It's true! I did have time for an anniversary party! Yes, Dan and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary on the 14th of September and had a lovely party on the 11th. On the 18th we took a trip to Fenway for an awesome game!

Jon Lester pitching!
Big Papi warming up!

This was our suite. The food, beer, wine, soda and desserts were endless!

Dan says I am ruined now for going to the games any other way other than in the suite box! He is right! It was a great way to see the game the since I never had to leave the box for anything, why go any other way! He has no idea what he is in for! We had a great relaxing day and I needed to get away for a quick restful trip!

I am still up to my ears in volunteer work. It is fundraising season for some of my committees so we are in full swing planning a fall fundraiser for Save-Ocean Beach. I just finished the "St. Practice Day" fundraiser for the New London Irish Parade, and I am not deep into the planning of the parade. Still making the city beautiful on the Beautification Committee and trying to get some work accomplished on the Economic Development Commission, and of course still working diligently to make the city a better place to live in on the Neighborhood Alliance. As you can see I am up to my ears in work, but I love it.

I have taken the time to stop in and read all your blogs, even it I haven't left a comment. Holiday season is quickly approaching and I am looking forward to reading what you all are going to be doing!

Have a great day!!

~ahhhhhh the stress is over ~

2010-08-17T10:21:00.003-04:00

Ahhh, my High School reunion (which I planned/ organized) is over. It went off well and I think everyone had a good time. Over 200 invitations went out and the day before the event we had 70 people coming but that night we still had 10 people pay at the door! (Why don't people RSVP anymore???) But it was an enjoyable evening and I am soooo glad it is over. Now they are talking about doing it at 35 years?!? Have fun! I am NOT planning that one! This was a LOT of work and I don't think anyone realizes how much work it was and how much of my time it took up.
In the meantime I found this clock and a thrift store. Sorry, took this mid- makeover. It had fruit stenciled all over the bottom part, which I used nail polish remover to remove. Then I used some watered down paint to paint over the bottom to "white wash" to match the top part. I painted the rest of it Folk Art Licorice Black and distressed. I love it. I really wanted to replace the one I had recently re-done but was only a temporary one. This one is much better and was more of what I was looking for. And it was only $2.00
I am much happier with this look! And now I even have a little lip/shelf to put things on... if I ever get any time to do that.

Have a great day!

~* it's a giveaway *~

2010-08-04T19:23:00.003-04:00

Isn't this cute? Lori at theblackcrow is having a giveaway! She is giving these adorable fall goodies away to her followers. I haven't entered a giveaway in a while and this one is worth it... so head on over and give it a shot.

Sorry this is such a short post this evening, but I have a bit of a head ache this tonight. I helped my friend recover her chair pads today, and I didn't get much sleep last night... so I going to make it an early one.

Have a great day!

~* Whatcha workin' on Wednesday *~

2010-07-28T13:29:00.002-04:00

This was my coffee table before. It has endured years of kids, trucks, spills, moves, etc. I re-did it a few years ago, stripped it down, took it apart and sanded it down. It is a really heavy duty piece. Nicely made. Large piece. But it is too big for my family room now and doesn't really fit with my decorating style.
This is the table/bench I was talking about the other day that I got with my girlfriend when she took my on a curb alert she read about. I liked it right away. It had good bones. I saw it in my living room and knew it would be right with a little TLC. So today I tackled the TLC.

And here it is after... I LOVE IT! I just knew it was a keeper. It was nicely made as well and the wood was in nice shape. The corners are cut and routered nice and pretty and someone took some real time to put this together and even plugged the screw holes with wood buttons. So I painted it with the same kind of love and care and then sanded the hard edges (the top has a soft round edge so it didn't look right when I tried to distress it!) and it came out soooooo perfect! I have more room to walk around the room and a piece that fits in more with the decor of the room. I will use my other table in my downstairs family room when we finish renovating that room. But for now I will just look at this table and admire the work!

Have a great day!

~* a thirift store find *~

2010-07-27T15:17:00.002-04:00

I had this picture hanging in my kitchen... ah, not bad, but not really a good fit. I have been changing things out lately and getting rid of things that don't really fit in or that I don't really love. Why have something hanging around that you see everyday that you don't love.
So today while I was out running errands I stopped by the thrift store and found this little beauty. I put it in the cart and thought....maybe! I also had a coupon- $5 off a $10 purchase...so, if the price is right? The more I looked at it the more I like it. I did get a couple more things that I will share with you another day. So here it is hanging in it's final resting place. I am so glad I changed the pictures out, I love this one so much more!

Have a great day!

~It's done ~

2010-07-23T23:11:00.004-04:00

Can you tell what that is there in the center bottle? It's pure vanilla extract. Homemade no less. And it is soooo good. And so easy to make. I started making my own a few years ago, I found the recipe somewhere and thought it should be so much cheaper than buying it... and it is. And so much better. And look at the size of that bottle. Plus there is more left in the bottle I made it in. When this bottle starts to get low I make another batch. It has to sit for 6 months at the least so you can't just whip this up. But it is so well worth the wait. All you need is 6-8 vanilla beans, brandy (you can use vodka too, but I prefer the brandy, it is much richer and deeper in flavor) and a clean bottle. Pour the brandy in the bottle, make slits down the length of the vanilla bean and put them in the bottle of the brandy, put the cover on the bottle. Now put it in the back of a cupboard, swirling it around occasionally for at least 6 months. DO NOT REMOVE THE LID! After 6 months you will have the best pure vanilla extract you have ever tasted. You will want to bake cookies, cakes, etc. just so you can use it. Last Christmas I gave small bottles of this in some gift bags with my homemade jams. I keep the used beans in the bottle I have going, and use new beans in my new batch. It just enhances the flavor. Now, go make your own and stop buying that expensive stuff in the stores!
Have a great day!

~* an update for today's post *~

2010-07-21T22:12:00.004-04:00

Ok, here is the final outcome! Leslie guessed it right.... I made a little table bench. Dan had all this as scrap wood down in the basement. I didn't have to cut the top at all, the legs were almost the right length and I hand cut the shape into them. I painted it FolkArt Licorice (my favorite Black!) distressed it and put a couple coats of flat poly.
It is still a little tacky as the a/c was out for a while today as we lost power in part of our house. I know- weird. We had a down wire and lost power to only part of the house for a few hours. And if that weren't bad enough, Krista hurt herself at work today so I spent a couple hours bringing her to the clinic and pharmacy to take care of that. That is just some of the reasons why I am posting my finished product so late!
But on a brighter note I went with my girlfriend to a curb alert (when someone posts on Craigslist that they have a bunch of stuff on the curb and it is there for the taking) that she wanted to go check out. I got a bench that I want to refinsh and use as a coffee table and a bentwood rocking chair to redo. Not a bad take, considering she got nothing!
Ok, it's late and I am beat!
Have a great night!

~* a little sneak peak *~

2010-07-21T00:27:00.002-04:00

Just a little look at what I am working on for tomorrow's (oops today's) Whacha' Workin' On Wednesday. Can you guess what it is? I have to let the glue dry overnight so it's a good time to post the before pics while it dries. See you later.

~* just hanging around *~

2010-07-18T08:14:00.003-04:00

This is the wall between my pantry and bathroom doors. It is also between the kitchen sink on the other side. Not a wide walk way. When we first moved here I hung this Amish girl peg shelf there. I really didn't know what else I could do with the space. But remember this post about my chopping bowl rack? Well, when I got it I thought I would hang it here, but it was too wide and we would have been hitting our heads on it everytime we tried to walk by, so it went somewhere else. But whenever I walked by this wall I knew there was something else that could go here. So I went back to Firecrackerkid Primitives and took a look around. I wanted something to do with all my rolling pins. A lot of you have put them in a big crock, but I don't have a lot of counter space so I knew that idea was out for me. When I saw their rolling pin rack I thought that was a great idea. I did check around the internet to make sure this style and price was what I wanted.
In the end the design and price could not be beat. I am so much happier with my wall now. And my rolling pins are all in the same place instead of 3 different drawers. I do use them all, so having them all together is really nice now. And on top I have a jar of my pie beads and my pie bird. So the Amish girl peg rack will go in the box for the Goodwill.... unless any of you would like her?

Have a great day!

~* a quick makeover *~

2010-07-17T12:36:00.002-04:00

I noticed the other day while doing my clock over that my spice rack was looking a bit messy. I really wasn't happy with my spice jars and it was just not looking right. My husband made me this rack many many years ago and I have moved it several times trying to get it to look just right. So I had these smaller jars that I had gotten at a local shop that I thought would do a better job.
I like this look much better. The jars fit nicer on the rack and they look a lot neater. I made some labels for the lids with my Brother label maker. I am still thinking about painting the rack itself black. I think that may look better than the current stained shade. What do you think?

Have a great day!

~ turning old into new ~

2010-07-14T15:25:00.005-04:00

Like I said before we have been having a heat wave. It has been so hot out, it has actually been in the 100's. It rained last night and today, though, but it only added to the stickyness. So today it was wet and sticky and hot. I decided to do a project inside to take my mind off the fact that it was just so miserable out.

I had this clock that my Aunt and Uncle gave me years ago. It was perfect for my country kitchen then. Blue with geese. But for the last few years it has been hanging in the basement laundry room, with a dead battery. Recently my clock died and I replaced it with this one- temporarily. So today I decided to make the big step and paint it. It was a little more work that I expected, since the whole front was a paper insert and not painted on as I initially thought. I found a printable clock face online, and printed in on this "bark" paper that I actually have a few pads of. A couple coats of Color Traditions "Red Iron Oxide" paint, then I sanded and distressed it. I glued the clock face on and Mod Podged the front and replaced the hands and VOILA- my "new" kitchen clock. As you can see from the time difference it took several hours to complete, even inside with the A/C because it is so humid and sticky and I wanted the paint and the Mod Podge to dry completely.

I actually love the way it looks in my kitchen compared to the blue clock and I am so glad I did it.
It was a great rainy day project to do and for only the cost of the paint, the clock face and the paper I have a whole "new" clock out of my old one!
Have a great day!

~* a quick change out *~

2010-07-09T11:37:00.004-04:00

A few years ago I made these curtains above. They weren't lined and I put them together really quickly, but I loved them and they did the job of covering the windows. I had off white curtains there before and I wasn't really happy with those at all. We hadn't replaced our windows yet, and all that was there really was a pane of glass. Well, the fading was horrible and there was hardly any color left in them. So today I replaced them with these curtains I had.
They are not my final choice for what I want in here, but they make a big difference already in the look. I would really like to put some prairie curtains in here. I am also thinking of putting up some wallpaper, maybe doing the half wall thing. The room is not that large, although I have the hutch and dining table in there. I just think maybe it will help make the room look larger. Of course since this room is pretty much finished and we can use it without any hassles I will just have to wait until we finish renovating some of the other rooms that are completely torn apart right now. Patience....
Have a great day!

~* I know, I know I'm a bad blogger *~

2010-07-08T22:22:00.002-04:00

I know I have been a bad blogger and away from my blog for so long.... I can't tell you how busy I have been. Between my committees, commissions, gardens, and now I am the president of the New London Irish Parade, on the committee for my 30 year high school reunion and am planning mine and Dan's 20 year Anniversary party. Whew. I really am so down out busy! I am not complaining though, I enjoy being busy. I really do. But it keeps me from visiting all your blogs, and I love that, too. I did take some time tonight to try and read all your blogs and all that I missed. Bloglines said I had 1,300+ updates. Yeah, I missed some posts!

We are in the midst of a heatwave here in Connecticut, and it is a doozy! I cannot keep the water level in the pool up to the skimmer level. I have to keep adding water. It is so hot I have to clean it every day to fight off the algae that grows from the sun and heat. Our local beach has had record number visitors!

Well, I have to get to bed now, I am exhausted and I have to start all over again tomorrow! Hope I can catch up with you all again soon!

Have a great day!

~as if I'm not busy enough~

2010-04-18T18:44:00.003-04:00

I just can't say "No"! I don't have enough time to accomplish all that I have on my plate now, and yet when someone asks me to help with something I just can't find the word "no". I know I don't have anymore room in my schedule to fit in anymore commmittee, volunteer work, commissions, etc. and yet I just can't say it. I have so much on my plate now that I have trouble sleeping because my mind is racing with all the ideas I have working! Yet, again I took on another HUGE project.

A few months ago a classmate from high school asked me if I could work on our 30 year reunion (yeah, I know...30 years, blah, blah, blah I am getting old). I said I would help but didn't have the time to organize it. Well, I didn't hear another thing about it so I thought they found other people to do it. After I finished the St. Patrick's Day parade I saw another classmate. We talked for a few minutes and she also mentioned the reunion and again I said I would help out, but wasn't interested in doing a lot of work because, well, I am just too busy. So she contacted me a few days later and we got together with a third classmate and the three of us are the reunion committee. Oh boy!!! I just can't help myself! I need help. I need a 12 step program to say "no" to helping! We did decide since we are all busy that we would keep it simple, a cocktail party, and that way we aren't doing a lot of work. Although, just trying to make contact with people and collecting addresses is a lot of work in itself! Say a prayer for me! I need it!

This is me circa 1978! I am also collecting photos from/of classmates from high school and today to do a slideshow to play during the party! Yeah, I told you- I NEED HELP!!!

On a brighter note, I started to cut out all carbs so I could try and loose some weight after a less than pleasant yearly exam with the Dr., and also with a class reunion and Dan and my 20th anniversary party this September, I was motivated. So I lost 3 pounds already this week. Lets hope this trend continues because I love my carbs and my tummy feels like someone cut my throat. I am missing my pasta and bagels and toast.... It better be worth it!!!
Have a great day!

~* What a way to open the season *~

2010-04-05T14:10:00.002-04:00

Oh it was a great game last night. I wish it was an early game, since it was a late night, but well worth the win! And my beloved Sox pulled of a season opener win against the Yankees. It was beautiful!!! I don't know how many games Dan and I will be able to go to at Fenway, but I AM going to be at Fenway this year! Wish it was last night....it was just so beautiful! No game tonight, thank goodness, I was up far too late watching last night!
Have a great day!

~the mill is grinding again~

2010-04-01T10:45:00.003-04:00

So a few years ago Dan gave me a pepper mill and salt shaker set for Christmas. They were nice and it was my first pepper mill. But they were made from plastic and although I loved them, the pepper mill recently broke and after grinding some plastic into a dish, I decided sadly to throw them out! He had also purchased a salt mill that I had grown to love as well and I was grinding sea salt into my cooking instead of using kosher salt or God forbid worse plain iodized table salt which we haven't used in years. So when I had to throw my pepper mill out, I went looking for a new matched set. I decided since we use them nearly every day I wanted to make sure I got a good set, with no plastic parts, and that the grinding mechanism was stainless steel.

Meet our new beauties...these are William Bounds Mills. In deep red! With lifetime warranties! Made in the USA!!!
And do you see the hearts in the handles? So cute!!! And they can be used by a right or left hander (hey dad, that's for you!!!). I love how the handles are so easy to turn and the adjustments are right there on the crank handles so easy to see. A nice addition to my prim country kitchen, even if they are a really modern convenience, they don't look it!

Have a nice day!

~* the hands of time *~

2010-03-29T19:08:00.004-04:00

I needed a new clock for some time now, my old one had died and it just wasn't keeping time anymore. Every time I looked at it the time was wrong, and finally the arms stopped moving all together, but the second hand kept moving. So I kept looking at the thrift stores but I never saw anything that caught my eye. Then I saw this beauty at Goodwill for $5.99 and just couldn't pass it up. I am not thrilled with the flowers on the clock face, but I can always print out a new face. I am thinking of painting it black, as well, but it is actually primed up kinda nice as it is. And it has this sweet little drawer for storing things like keys or spare change. What do you think?
Have a great day!

~* coming out of my sick cave *~

2010-03-26T10:31:00.006-04:00

Wow, I am finally over this illness that I have been fighting for a couple weeks now. I was almost well, then my husband and son got sick and since I was not at 100% I got sick again, but worse than the first time. But yesterday I was finally able to get out of bed for the first time in 5 days and today I think I am on the mend. I cannot wait until the rain stops here so I can open all the windows and air out all the sick germs from my home! I know that in one of the reasons we are all passing it around. But here it is raining again today!!! Yesterday, as I was finally coming out of my sick cave a nice package arrived for me from Firecrackerkid Primitives. Yes, it is a bowl rack!!! And I love it!!

I had Dan hang it for me today before he left for work and I put my wooden chopping bowl that my parents bought me several years ago and a very very old rolling pin, I think it was my grand mother's. It is one solid piece of wood, the handles don't move so I don't really use it, but it does make for a nice display, which it hadn't been before. I just kept it in the drawer with all my other rolling pins. I am thinking of painting my hutch black, keeping the top of the buffet natural. What do you think? Well, I have to go take a shower and get ready for a meeting I have this afternoon. I hate to go out in the rain after just getting over being sick but I have an obligation!
Have a great day!

~* a little parade I've been working on*~

2010-03-17T22:54:00.000-04:00

~* a giveaway *~

2010-02-24T12:05:00.003-05:00

Firecrackerkid Primitives is having a giveaway. But don't bother entering... I just know I am going to win. I have been wanting one of these bowl racks forever!!! I have a wooden bowl that my parents gave me for Christmas many years ago that I want to display and I know it would look great on one of these racks. In our family we use our wooden bowls for a cabbage salad that we make. I don't know where the recipe came from or how long it has been in the family but we chop it in a wooden bowl. People have said it can be made in a food processor but it doesn't come out the same. So one year my parents bought all 4 of us these wooden bowls for Christmas. I think they were about $80 a piece. But I love mine and I use it to chop my cabbage salad and I would love to display it in a rack like this. So that is why I NEED to win this. Ok? Thanks for understanding! Lol!

Have a great day!

~* a little trip to the Goodwill *~

2010-02-16T10:38:00.002-05:00

As I told you yesterday, everything at Goodwill was 50% off so Dan and I took a trip over since we are still looking for some end tables. We didn't find any furniture that we were interested in, but I did find these goodies. I got 2 cotton dish clothes, one for .30 and one for .50. The spool of cotton yarn for $1.00 (they usually go for around $6.00 even at Walmart). The tissue cover was only $1.50, I am not sure what I am going to do with the color, probably paint it, and I may keep the heart since it has a heart cut out on the top, but paint it a deep dark red. And the shelf was only $2.00, I am definitely going to paint it, most likely black and use it in my sewing room for my spools of thread over my sewing machine. So all in all I spent only $5.62 with tax. It was a good day even if I didn't find any end tables. That means I can go back again!!!

Have a great day!

~* whew it's been a long time comin' *~

2010-02-15T13:49:00.003-05:00

Wow, I know I haven't posted in a while... I have been so busy with meetings and cleaning and snow. Yeah, we've had snow, and lots of it.
I hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day. Mine was nice. It started with heart shaped pancakes, roses, a singing card, chocolates and then I made a dinner of filet mignon with mushroom wine sauce, gingered carrots with dates, whole grain roasted garlic rice, spring salad with sun dried tomato vinaigrette, and for desset chocolate mousse.

Oh, what a day! Anyways, Dan and I made a quick trip to Goodwill today, I got a few goodies (50% off everything today!!!) and I will show you all a before and after later!

Gotta go get some housework done.

Have a great day!

~* the runner is done *~

2010-01-29T14:13:00.002-05:00

FINALLY! For such a small runner this took SO long. First cutting the squares, then sewing them together, THEN clipping all the edges... but I am really pleased with the way it turned out. I love the colors, and I love how prim it looks. I think I am going to put it through the wash & dry cycles again, though, I want to see if I can rag the edges just a bit more. I read that the more you cut the more it will rag, so I cut away, and I did wash it in cold since it is all reds and I didn't want any of the colors to run, but I don't think I washed it on a long enough cycle, so I may run it through again. But over all I am pleased with the way it came out and would do it again.
What do you all think?

Have a great day!

~the ragman cometh ~

2010-01-25T17:54:00.005-05:00

This is the start (or the middle rather) of my new runner for my coffee table. Lord it takes so long to cut those squares! I still have to cut the batting and the hearts that will go on the white squares, but I am so glad the cutting is done!!! Yay! The sewing should go much quicker, I hope. This is my first rag quilt. I didn't go for something too complicated or large and I love the colors of these fabrics, so I know I will love the finished product. And if it goes well, I have some ideas for other things around the house that I could use some rag quilts for. More on that later.
Well, still trying to kick this cold, so I am bushed for the night.
Have a great day!

~* back in the kitchen *~

2010-01-23T20:23:00.003-05:00

I am finally starting to feel better, but I tire so quickly and easily! I have gotten so much done around the house. I finally got all my closet stuff put back away, but took 3 lawn bags full to the Goodwill!!! I also have been working on cleaning out the spare room so I finally can get to my sewing machine so I can get some sewing down. I want to make a rag quilt runner done for my coffee table for Valentines, but we put alot of the stuff from the basement room in there when we started working on the family room in there and it is just a mess, but I have been working on it and getting it organized, and tonight I started cutting the squares. And yesterday Dan asked me to make him stuffed Poblano peppers for dinner, so these are them. They are stuffed with mushrooms, orange peppers, rice and goat cheese with a cilantro chipotle sauce. They were good, but a tad bit hot! But that is what he wanted for dinner, and I was finally up to cooking. This head cold just won't go away, it's a killer! I can't believe how long it has lasted. I have been downing the Vitamin C, E and Zinc, fluids and clearly been getting plenty of rest (I nap frequently during the day!!!). Well, the boys are both out having some guy time, Matt is at a show and Dan is playing poker with the guys from work, so I have a few hours to kill, and I know I have been a bad blogger since I have been sick so I figured I would check in and see what everyone has been up to.

Have a great day!

~* down and almost out...*~

2010-01-18T10:11:00.002-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in so long... I have had a terrible head cold. It has been the worst! I can't seem to shake it and it is so draining. I have been exhausted just keeping up with my day to day responsibilities. I have tried to stop by and read your blogs, but that is all I may have the strength to do... I hope to be well enough to post something else soon.

Have a great day!

~* the breakfast table *~

2010-01-07T14:41:00.003-05:00

I just downloaded these off my memory card. It is my dining room all decked out for Christmas morning breakfast. It is a tradition I started when my kids were little and my parents didn't have any kids at home any longer. I thought it would be a good idea for them to come over and watch the kids open their presents and so I made a big breakfast. In time we invited all the family here and breakfast was kicked back a few hours to 10 am instead of 7 since my kids are older now too and don't wake at the crack of dawn. This also pushes Christmas dinner back a few hours so we don't have to rush through the day. It really make the day nice and I get to host a holiday meal. This year I made pomegranade champagne sparklers with my breakfast. They were DELISH!!!
Here we are (some of the family) getting ready to sit down and dig in. I usuallly make several of the dishes the night before and then we all can sit and eat at the same time. It has become a tradition of the Christmas holiday that I love.

Have a great day!

~* happy new years *~

2010-01-04T13:35:00.004-05:00

Wow, I can't believe it's January already! I literally am just coming out of the closet. No, not like that. Dan and I re-did my walk-in closet over the holiday break. I thought it would be a "small" project but 10 sheets of sheetrock, 3 rolls of insulation, 6 halogen lights, 2 outlets and a lightswitch and 6 days later we are done! Whew! I have a 12x8 foot walk in that is on the dormers of the roof so the roof goes at an angle (yeah, you got it, every cut of sheetrock was a HUGE pain!). It had one pull string light at the door and a 12 foot span to the end of the closet. I could never see at the end and it was freezing in it so I had the bright idea of putting lights and insulation in it. I thought "how hard can it be?". Well, at least that project can be crossed off the list. I love it now. I have six lights and they are on a switch when I walk in the door. I can see everything in the closet (although I have not yet got everything put back in because if you are going to go through all that trouble of taking everything out of your closet you might as well go through it all and get rid of the things you don't really need and such, right? But at least it is not an ice box now. The only thing we were not able to do is find a remnent piece of carpet to lay for the flooring. But I will be on the lookout for that.

Christmas was wonderful, as usual. Everyone was spoiled here.

My SIL gave me these adorable snowman. I am not sure what they are for, the backs have clothespins on them, but they are soooo cute!
My mother gave me this stitchery, some snowmen candle holders, a snowman baskets and a blue glass dish that used to be my grandmothers.
My SIL Ruth also gave me this Cocoa pot and cups. I don't know if you can see but it is covered with snowmen! Absolutely adorable!

Dan gave me this sweater. I LOVE it. It looks like a penny rug, doesn't it? It is toasty warm, too. He gave me some other tops, too, a digital camera book, a 2010 old farmer's almanac, snowman socks, 2 Vera Bradley purses plus the wallet, clutch and glass case to match, 4 beads for my Pandora bracelet, 39 (I am not exaggerating!) chapsticks, a break a part (Toblers) chocolate orange, a Red Sox ornament, some kitchen gadgets, and more chocolate. It was a very nice day!

I hope you all have a nice Christmas.

New Years was quiet. It always is for us. We are "early to bedders" as Matthew calls us. It just isn't a holiday we party for. And we had been working on the closet all day, anyways so we were beat! But, it is back to work today.

I have been checking out your blogs today, wish I could take the time to stop and drop a personal note on each one or yours but I just don't have the time, so I will just say a "Happy New Year's" to all my bloggy friends.

Have a great day!

~* the tree is finally done~ whew! *~

2009-12-21T17:59:00.003-05:00

I know I say this every year, but I am so behind this year. I finally finished the tree today. I can't wait for Matthew to put his ornaments on the tree for the garland any longer so I hung it along with the icicles, and put the presents underneath. That is it. Check that off the list! Tomorrow I have to do my cleaning and finish wrapping the last of the gifts I have.

We got 2 feet of snow yesterday and it really was a mess. We are still trying to clean up from it. I shoveled for 3 hours and still couldn't get my car out. Yes, we have a snowblower but I don't know how to use it and Dan had to go to work, and he leaves for work at 5 am and only had enough time to clear off half the driveway and then Matthew was doing the sidewalks and then since he also has a nasty head cold went back to bed for a few hours so I thought I would shovel for a while to see how far I could get. That sent me back to bed with a pounding head ache and the chills. Finally Dan came home and snowblowed the rest of the driveway. I was able to get out today. I don't mind if I am snowed in as long as I can get out if I have to. I have an AWD vehicle so that I don't ever have to worry about not getting where I need to go, but when there is 2 feet I cannot drive over it. But, I think I was so upset more because of this stupid cold than the fact I was snowed it. You know how that goes, you aren't really that upset, but because you are sick it is a bigger deal than it really is? Well, it was and then I was so tired and sore. And cold! But today I am better! And a pretty holiday manicure and all is well again! And the tree is done! Yay!
Have a great day!

~* Whatcha Workin' on Wednesday *~

2009-12-17T12:09:00.002-05:00

I always seem to be a day late with this but I DID make this yesterday. I just had to get the labels made. I made 5 pints of Christmas jam for gifts. I got the recipe from Sue at Country Pleasures some time ago and just got around to making it. At first I was skeptical about the taste- I mean strawberries and cranberries? But it is really a nice blend. I saved a jar for us, of course! I also am giving some of my very own vanilla extract. I make my own (it is really quite easy and beats anything you can buy!). That is if I can find some bottles. I can't believe how difficult it is to find glass bottles! But I have hubby on the hunt and if there is anyone that can find them, it's him! So, that is what I was working on yesterday. Finished with my labels today.
I have another meeting this evening, so I should get to work on my housework and more wrapping.
Have a great day!

~* out with the old ~ in with the new *~

2009-12-15T09:37:00.002-05:00

So my new dishwasher arrived last Thursday. We put it in Saturday. I tried to get Dan to do it Friday night when he came home from work, but he is not one of those spur of the moment kind of guys and it is a good thing he is not. It appears that the dishwasher manufacturers have changed the hookups and we had to buy a new piece to hook it up. It was not known to us until we got a good ways into the installation. Dan was not happy! And we had to enlarge the opening that the thing went into by about 1/2 an inch. Another thing we didn't know until we got into the installation. But here we are now, with a new functioning dishwasher!
I figured since I had to get a new one I might as well go with stainless. Although I am constantly wiping the fingerprints off of it. I guess I will get used to that. At least I have a dishwasher that cleans the dishes each and every time I use it!
Well, I have to run some errands today and get my Christmas cards going. I know I am so late...
Have a great day!

~* ho ho ho, ol' St. Nick *~

2009-12-08T20:00:00.002-05:00

Finally got my Santa tree up! I had a migraine this weekend so I didn't get much done, but I did get my little Santa tree up yesterday. I love it! I have all Santa ornies on it. And these cute candle lights. And my yo-yo garland. Of course I put the new ornie that my mom made me right on the front! We haven't even gone out and tagged our main tree yet. We should have probably done it last weekend, but I guess we will have to do it next weekend.
I am going to try and do my window candles tomorrow and maybe get my wrapping done. Maybe I will have some time to bake some cookies. I have an unexpected meeting Thursday night, I don't think it will be long, but I hate when that happens, it throws me off, so now I have to work around that, and that is the day my new dishwasher is coming and I still don't have my delivery "window" to know when to expect that! Oh the holiday joys!
Have a great day!

~* oh, the housework never ends...*~

2009-12-03T15:57:00.003-05:00

Ok, so one bathroom scrubbed and down, some laundry out of the way, dishes done, vacuuming done, dusting done, minutes typed, and I am prepared for the community event I have to do tonight for the Neighborhood Alliance. Whew...

This is my downstairs bathroom. It has not been re-done yet. I want to pull up the linoleum on the floor and hope the hardwood underneath is good enough to refinish, put bead board 2/3's of the way up with a small shelf topping that off, and paint the outside of the tub (that hideous peach/pink has got to go!!!), plus I want to put the mirror cabinet and the sink cabinet in the corner with homemade cabinets. I would also like to paint the radiator gloss white. I think I would like to go with wrought iron for the towel and paper holders, but I will have to wait and see what I do for the knobs and lighting. Right now I only have 2 lights on the wall, I definitely need more lighting. I don't know if you can tell from the picture but my window sill is 22 inches deep, and I have a jade plant there as well as some jars of bubble bath, bath salts, etc. Well, that is my plans, but we all know how plans go, I keep ripping pages out of magazines and taping them behind the door of ideas of how this bathroom can look. Until the renovations start I could change my mind! Lol!

I have to go get ready for my community event tonight!

Have a great day!

~* it's a blogiversary! *~

2009-12-01T10:34:00.005-05:00

So, 4 years ago I started my blog with a Christmas post and here I am with a Christmas post! This is my dining room tree, my favorite one. It holds all my snowman ornies, most of which my husband has given me, much of which he has snuck on the tree! I love it. A few years ago I decided that I had enough ornies to do a tree of just snowmen. Well, I got this one and put it in the dining room, but it was not nearly as full as it is now. Even so, each year even more ornies appear on it! It is the first tree I put up and the last one I take down.

I posted a giveaway for my blogiversary the other day. I really wanted to hear from my blog friends who read or visit so please leave a comment!

Ok, I have to get ready to brave the elements and go Christmas shopping. It rained yesterday and I hate going out in the rain, so today is a nice day so I think I will try and head out today!

Have a great day!

~* it's a blogiversary giveaway *~

2009-11-28T14:11:00.002-05:00

Next Tuesday, the 1st is my 4 year blogiversary. Kinda just snuck up on me. But in honor of it I am giving away these sorta prim Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls. Oh, and no I didn't make them.
All you have to do is leave me a comment, tell me what you like about my blog, what you don't, what you've learned about me, what surprised you most about me, whatever.... I'd love to hear what you think about my blog.

I will pick a number next Friday for the winner.

It's Christmas season now, I can drag out the Christmas decorations. I think I will start with my favorite, the snowman diningroom tree! Maybe the window candles too. I am still recovering from our second Thanksgiving dinner yesterday! Always good food, just sooooo much of it.

I had to get a new dishwasher. Mine didn't last too long... it was new when we bought this house, 6 years ago. I hate that appliances and such are not made to last that long anymore. Anyways, it is coming on the 10th. Great! Right in the middle of the Christmas holidays we are going to replace our dishwasher. Oh well, what are you gonna do? At least it will be new and ready for my tradition of Christmas morning breakfast!

Time to get some housework done, that neverending job...

Have a great day!

~* happy Thanksgiving *~

2009-11-26T10:31:00.005-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving my bloggy friends!
Fill your day with family, friends and lots and lots of yummy food!

I will be going to my parents' house and seeing my brother's family.

Don't forget to take some time today to remember all that you are thankful for.

Have a great day!

~* happy Thanksgiving eve *~

2009-11-25T11:13:00.002-05:00

I just finished putting dinner in the crock pot, sausage, peppers and onions. YUMMO! It will start smelling so good in here soon. And I got some fresh rolls at the market this morning. Oh dinner is going to be so good. But before I get to dinner I have so much to do!

See, today I am making pies for tomorrow and our second "Thanksgiving dinner" Friday. I won't make whole pies for both, but what is left over tomorrow will be for Friday which is why I am making more than one to take to my parents. We don't usually have any leftovers, that is a problem with a big family. Yesterday Dan picked up our turkey. We got a fresh one from here , you should really go to that link and read about them. I wanted one about 10-12 lbs seeing as it is just the 3 of us and we don't need more than that, but the smallest he could get was 19lbs. Oh goodness, we are going to be eating a lot of turkey over the next week!!!
Well, that is what I am working on today. I was finally able to get Dan's Christmas present that I ordered months ago. The person I ordered it from dropped it off this morning. I honestly almost forgot all about it until he reminded me about it last weekend. That is how long ago I ordered it. I know you are all probably wondering what it is and I would love to share but Dan sometimes reads my blog so, sorry it will have to wait until after the holidays!
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday tomorrow! Fill it with lots of family, friends and love!
Have a great day!

~* some more TS goodies *~

2009-11-24T13:38:00.002-05:00

I went to pick up one's of Dan's Christmas presents that I ordered months ago and on the way there I stopped at a local thrift store. I found these goodies today. A tea canister in my Pfaltzgraff Yorktowne pattern, a wooden box (says flour with some pattern on it) that I am going to sand and paint black and put in my bathroom with some of my bathroom supplies in it, and 2 prim wooden plates.
This crow one that I can leave out all year long. I don't really have any thing crow, I don't believe but I couldn't resist this plate, it was just calling to me and the price was right at $1.99

And this awesome prim Christmas tree one that I just may leave out all year. It is just so cute, I love it. And it wasn't bad at $2.99. My whole day's trip was only $9 so it was a good stop. I have to go to the market still today, and I am getting over some kind of stomach bug so I don't want to get too worn out. We are going to my parents for Thanksgiving but doing one of our own here on Friday. It may not be as stressful, but it will be as large. Still have to get all the fixin's! Well, time to get those errands done!
Have a great day!

~* li'l st nick *~

2009-11-20T09:49:00.003-05:00

How do you like this little guy? I LOVE him. A few years ago I saw him (well not him but one just like him) on my mom's tree and just fell in love with him. They had made him at workshop and she told me they had more put away for the bazaar and I could get one when they brought all the stuff out to sell. Well I worked and worked waiting patiently to get my little guy last year. Come bazaar time I volunteered to set up the ornie table. I gently unpacked (ok not really, I tore into those boxes looking for Santa!) and set up the tables but there were no Santa ornies to be found. She said "hum, maybe be sold them all last year". WHAT??? I was so disappointed. I told my mom she should just give me the one off her tree. She didn't find that amuzing. So, they made them again this year for the bazaar and she made me one specifically, in colors she knew I would love. And I do. I have a small tree that is all Santas and I cannot wait to add him to that tree. He will get a prime spot in the front somewhere. I love ornies that are different, that are not mass produced, that you just can't buy anywhere, and he fits the bill perfectly. And what makes him all the more special is that he was made for me by my mom! He's so perfect!

Have a great day!

~* a yummy post*~

2009-11-19T10:09:00.005-05:00

I love this stuff. It makes my morning coffee so good. It reminds me of my favorite Starbucks coffee that I don't partake of too often because 1. they closed the one close to us and 2. they are really too expensive to have too often. So this is the next best thing, and for $1.50 a bottle I can have many cups of this delicious nectar. However, since it is a holiday flavor I can only have it around this time of year.
So, I can sit and enjoy my morning joe with my peppermint mocha flavor all through this holiday season, as long as I can find it (ok, I bought 4 bottles at the store yesterday!!!). But it one of my guilty pleasures of the season that I give myself, and I don't give myself too many.

Have a great day!

~my latest thrift store find~

2009-11-17T21:24:00.003-05:00

I found these electric sponge ware lamps today when I stopped into the TS spur of the moment when I had to go pick Matthew up from school since his truck is broken and his class is in the a few towns over (college you know!) so I was a few minutes (20 or so) early and decided to stop in the TS just to check and see if they had any new Pfaltzgraff Yorktowne or prim stuff. I happened upon these lamps and was even more surprised to see that they were electric. I am not sure what room they are going to go in yet, but I just could not pass them up. They were only $3.99 each. I may or may not keep the globe arms on them, I might just get low wattage frosted bulbs and use them in the living room for light when we go out and turn on lights so we don't come home in the dark. I just adore them.

Tomorrow we pick up Dan's new car, and Matthew will have his old one so the driving him back and forth to school will be remedied. I can hardly wait, I hate having to make that 2o minute each way drive 4 days a week trip. And Matt really doesn't enjoy having his mom drive him to college!

Well, it is late, but I got a lot accomplished today. About 3 months worth of junk mail shredded, groceries, laundry, moved all the stuff from my old jelly cabinet into the old TV armoire that I am now using next to my desk, finished packing up all the t-shirts and banners from my election, and finally cleared off my kitchen table! Whew! Off to bed now!

Have a great day!

~a new before and after ~

2009-11-16T21:40:00.003-05:00

This was my previous TV stand and TV. I was happy with the TV but the stand was not meant to be in the corner to it made blind spots on the screen so you couldn't see areas of the screen. Ok, I could live with it. But a few months ago (several but a little thing called a city council campaign overtook my life!!!) my TV died and we have been using a spare 19 inch in it's place. Now, you can't go from a 36 inch to a 19 inch. It is like going from running water to a outhouse. Very disturbing. And I can't see anymore so trying to see the writing on that little screen was near impossible. I didn't know what was on most of the time, or who the actors were or what time things came on, etc. But a few months ago (again, a little thing called campaign happened!) we bought a 42 inch flat screen TV at a really good price. However, that would not fit into this TV cabinet/armoire. It was not going in, no way no how! So, finally last weekend Dan and I had some free time so we went TV cabinet shopping, in the rain! Yeah, I know! No so bright. But again, I say, we finally had some free time. There is an unfinished furniture store about 5 minutes away in the next town so we went there to see what they had. I really wanted a corner armoire but I have a window on the left hand side that is quite close. So we found this cabinet instead AND it was already finished! Good deal, I don't have to finish it AND it fit in the back of my car! Plus Dan is going to build me a corner shelf for above it so I will have some more storage that I gave up losing my armoire! I will all around! And I can finally see what is on TV, what time it is and who the actors are! Whew!
Life is good again!
Have a great day!

~thank a veteran today~

2009-11-11T11:41:00.002-05:00

Ok, so I am almost all caught up on reading all your blogs... it was after all several months since I could sit and just read. First there was the restaurant, then the campaign. But I think I will be done before Christmas. Just kidding. I am pretty much up to date on all that you have been doing... busy busy bees! And life is pretty much back to normal for me. I am back to my volunteering duties, Neighborhood Alliance, Beautification Committee, Economic Development Commission. I have even volunteered for some more things. After all, since my "baby" is at college this year he needs me around less and less. So I might as well make myself useful. And thank goodness the campaign is over, it is coming up to my favorite time of the year and I would hate to miss out on my favorite holiday season! So, things are getting back to normal and I have getting the house back to normal (it was a mess, really!). I even had a short bout with a flu bug, I think from letting myself get worn down too much. So, it's time to concentrate on the approaching holidays, putting the house back in order and getting caught up with all my blog friends...

Thanks to all the veterans for serving! They are why we are free today!

Have a great day!

~Hello dear blog friends~

2009-11-07T13:10:00.002-05:00

Ok, so it's been some time since I blogged, and as a little refresher it was because I was running for City Council here in my hometown. I've been out shaking hands, going door to door, speaking to the people, pounding the pavement, and telling the good folks all about my message about how I felt I would be a great addition to the council. As a wife and mother I have skills only another mother can appreciate! Unfortunately, I didn't win. Don't feel too badly for me, some long time polititians in my city lost as well. but I may make another run of it in two years, maybe not. We will see. I have time to think about it. But now I have time to get my home back into order (it was campaign central!), decorate for the holidays, and concentrate on some of my other civic responsibilities. I really believe I would have made an important contribution to my city and I had (still have) some great ideas on how to make this city great! But that is for another day! I thought I would share my campaign photo. It is not too often I have professional photos taken, I really hate having them...but this one didn't come out half bad! If you want to take a look at my campaign blog before I take it down it is: http://votemarie09.blogspot.com/

Well, I am feeling so tired! I need a vacation! I think I have some kind of bug! And I have soooo much housework to do. But I will be back to regular blogging and visiting your blogs again, so that is a good thing! See you all soon!

Have a great day!

~got a little contest~

2009-09-28T09:12:00.001-04:00

There is a link to a contest to win a pair of ugg boot over there on the right. Click on it and enter. I LOVE mine. I would wear them all year long if it weren't for the fact that people would think I was strange. After all this isn't Hollywood! So, go ahead and enter to win!

Have a great day!

~campaign season is in full swing~

2009-08-23T18:19:00.002-04:00

Ok, so my campaign for City Council has officially begun. Oh yeah, I am freaking! But I am excited too. If you are interested in contributing to my campaign, contact me and I will let you know what you can do. Otherwise, say a prayer for me! It is a full race this year. 14 candidates. 7 slots. Oh boy! Let the mud slinging begin.

Have a great day!

~* ahhhhhh, breathe......*~

2009-08-13T08:51:00.002-04:00

Ok, so what's new? With me? Oh, not much. Except I got the nomination for City Council!!! Yup, I am OFFICIALLY running. And Dan and I sold our share of the restaurant. Yeah, we had to. I could not devote the kind of time needed to run a successful campaign and spend the kind of time I was at the restaurant daily. We were able to get out what we put into it, and so it was a good thing. And a learning experience for sure. If we were to go into the restaurant business again, we would know what to do, and what NOT to do. So now I am trying to catch up on things that just got so behind...my gardens are a mess...my house is a disaster... and my cupboards are bare! Plus, the exciting political campaign that I am starting on.
You just don't realize- we really spent every waking moment at the restaurant, and Dan came straight from his other job, and after we closed it was so late, we literally went straight to bed! So stay tuned for more info on the campaign! I am very excited about my new venture! I know I have shared with you all my intention to run for some time now, but it is finally a reality!

This is a hibiscus from my yard, actually my neighbor's but right on the property line and these flowers are as big as dinner plates. It is gorgeous!!! Ok, well I wanted to update you all on what has been going on with me.... I hope to have some time now to stop by all your blogs and see what is going on with you!

Have a great day!

~* I graduated *~

2009-07-20T09:24:00.001-04:00

I don't know how I pulled it off with the 12-14 hour days I am spending at the restaurant, but I took a class that my city offers (13 weeks) and recently graduated. It was a great class, lots and lots of history and how the city runs now. It was great and I got to meet some new people from my city, and learn some awesome history. I am glad I had the opportunity to take this class because with budget cuts, it may very well be the last one offered. Especially since I am still interested in running for City Council this year. I may be a bit overworked and overwhelmed right now, but I can seem to find time to do the really important things. I just wish I had more time for crafting and sewing right now!

Have a great day!

~life as I knew it....~

2009-06-07T11:03:00.002-04:00

...is over. Yep, we bought a restaurant and now that is my ENTIRE life. I am there open to close right now while we try to work out all the bugs and get it running smoothly. I am exhausted most days and fall asleep almost as soon as my head hits the pillow. Do I like it? I haven't decided yet. I really have always wanted to open a restaurant, but the dream and the reality are 2 entirely different things. We are moving into a new building soon, too. The rent on this one is high and we need more room, so we found a place just down the road and I think that is where we are gonna go. Things are a bit crazy here now. In addition I have my interview for City Council on the 29th. Oh yeah, I am still planning on running this year. What? Ah, yes I am crazy!!! Just wanted to stop in and let you all know that I am still alive and kicking... I wish I had the time to come by all your blogs and see what is going on in your worlds. I will soon. Just as soon as things calm down a bit here. Miss you all dearly!!!

Have a great day!!!

~catching my breath~

2009-04-25T19:47:00.004-04:00

Oh I have been so busy I hardly know where to begin. First, I was finally able to get our neighborhood watch going at our end of the street (we have one at the other end- 4 streets down, but not including our end) and I am the chair. We are planning a street festival as a fundraiser for the K9s and that has been taking up a lot of time. I have been getting ready on Beautification Committee to start planting for the year, and if you recall my site in the city is City Hall...well they are re-doing the back of it with a new walkway, new bike stand, with stamped concrete, etc. It's all very exciting and I have been meeting with the contractors deciding on pattern and color and style, etc. I can hardly wait for them to get started so I can see how great it is going to look! I have also agreed to be nominated as secretary in the Neighborhood Alliance. It is the umbrella organization that all the neighborhood groups fall under. And I have still been working on preparing for my City Council run this year. I have met with some union officials and have several unions who are willing to endorse my campaign. Whew....I am tired already just listing this all. But I miss stopping by and reading all your blogs. I don't know when I will have the time to stop by again...but I certainly hope it will be soon. I hope all my blog friends are well and enjoying spring. We have a beautiful day here in Connecticut today. And we are supposed to have another one tomorrow. Right now I am enjoying watching the Red Sox beat the Yankees! This picture is from Easter, I can hardly believe how big my kids are...they tower over both of us! How did that happen? Well, there is laundry to fold and dinner dishes to put in the dishwasher.

Have a great day!

~oh brother!~

2009-04-24T09:30:00.000-04:00

It's never boring in my city!

~hello world~

2009-04-10T16:50:00.003-04:00

April 3rd I started my vegetable garden seeds, April 7th a broccoli seed sprouted. Now I have tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and pumpkins all sprouting... it is so exciting. If the weather would only cooperate and we would get some warmth... it is still so cold and we have had so much rain. There is sun, but it just has not been warm!

Hopefully the warm weather will be coming soon...

Have a great day!

~come on Spring~

2009-03-31T09:03:00.003-04:00

Ok, so I am sure you all want to know where I have been. Well, I have been busy. With my already busy schedule I took on a class. It is a class given by my city about my city and I have really been enjoying it, but it adds yet another busy day to my already full schedule. I have also been attending some police functions, and there was the St. Patrick's Day parade, a full day event here for me, and I was finally able to get my neighborhood watch group going. That really required me going door to door over and over again, but I think it will be well worth it. So I had some time today, no meetings, classes or events to attend today, and thought I would try and catch up somewhat with you all. I picked these forsythia branches a couple weeks ago and forced them inside. They are in full bloom today. Really makes me want Spring here fast, but we are still having some cooler temps and lots and lots of rain. Today is so sunny out but we are only going to be in the high 50's maybe! I really want some warm weather. I want to open the windows and air the whole house out.... well, that is what I have been up to. I have a few things on the back burners but I can't share them yet.... hopefully I will have some info by June to share. Until then you will have to guess. Still working my K9 challenge. Last week I gave my second deposit of donations of $2,764. That brings my total to over $3,500. It is hard to get people to understand the importance of police services. You know, they only appreciate them when they need them. So I continue to plug along. Ok, I am gonna go get some breakfast...I just realized how hungry I am.

Have a great day!

~Little Parade, Big Party~

2009-03-16T18:52:00.003-04:00

~been gone so long~

2009-03-01T18:04:00.003-05:00

I know I have been gone so long...but between meetings and migraines, cleaning and computer woes, I have been busy. And blue. I have the winter blues and it is snowing again today to make it worse. We are in for a duzzy of a storm too. 6-10 inches before the whole thing is over tomorrow. I can't stand it! I am soooo done with the snow. But I guess we are gonna have one last (I don't really know that it is the last, but I can hope, can't I?) one. So, I wanted to to pop in and try and catch up with all my bloggy friends. Sorry I haven't been around, hope you all understand. As the weeks get warmer (there I am hoping again) I may be around less and less as I am outside more and more, but I will try to stop in more often. Gotta try and make a point of stopping in and checking out everyone's blogs. I will get around to seeing all my friends, just give me some time. Until then,
have a great day!!!

~looking forward to spring~

2009-02-15T09:41:00.002-05:00

I am looking forward to this. Flowers! And lots of them. This in between time is really depressing. It is just starting to get sunny and almost has a warmth to the day that you can feel when you walk outside. I am tempted to pull back the dried brown leaves that cover my gardens to see if the bulbs are sticking their heads out of the ground. I know it is just a matter of time before I will see the green tips of the leaves coming up through all that brown. I have started getting my seed catalogs. I saw some seeds out in the store yesterday... oh it is so tempting to start preparing the seeds to plant. I just have to hold on a little more. Easter will be a boost when I bet some flowers... and get to start opening up the windows to let some sweet smelling fresh air in...

oh spring...don't be late! I'm waiting for you!

Have a great day!

~I don't have any time for my friends???~

2009-02-13T21:32:00.003-05:00

Click to enlarge

Thought you would all get a chuckle out of it. Enjoy!

Have a great day!

~under control~

2009-02-10T10:58:00.002-05:00

My blood pressure that is. I have had high blood pressure all my life. Even as a child. They use to say I was "high strung" or "nervous" but it was always a bit high. Lately it has been high enough to have the Dr. want me to be on medicine. I was on a med before that caused me to gain all kinds of weight so I was not game for that again. The 1st med he put me on gave me a dry cough all the time. Not fun! So 2 months ago he switched me to a new med. and today when I went to check my pressure it was an amazing 120/70. I cannot even remember when it was that low. Yay! So I think we have found a med. that works to control the blood pressure, doesn't give me nasty side effects, and doesn't cause drastic weight gain. All in all I think we have this under control. Now I have to work on my cholestrol. Yuk! I know! I have to cut out all the good foods I love. But at least I do love fruits and veggies, so that is a plus. I guess I have to make this a lifestyle change, as they say!

Have a great day!

~Whatcha' workin' on Wednesday (a day late)~

2009-02-05T09:48:00.003-05:00

Still organizing around here and yesterday I spent a huge chunk of time going thru 5 years (YES 5 YEARS!!!) worth of bank, credit card, oil statements, etc and cleaning out the drawer that the bills are all kept in. Now I have a huge bag that I have to burn in the chiminea because I would burn out the shredder if I tried to shred all this. I need to get a larger cabinet by the desk so that I can get hanging folders (like a filing cabinet system) but at this time I just have the bills in folders. I had every bill since we moved in here in September 2003 in that drawer! I had intended to clean it out, but never gotten around to it. In my resolution to organize yesterday was the day. I would have much rather been doing some nice craft... but this was necessary! I also had some paperwork to get done, and some meetings for tonight to prepare for, so it really was a productive day. Hope you all had a good WWW, and got some nice things done. When I get around to burning my papers I will get to roast some marshmallows so it won't be a total waste! And I love a good fire!

Have a great day!

~oh good, more snow~

2009-02-03T14:45:00.003-05:00

We are having a snow storm today, yay, more snow. I am thrilled!!! *said sarcastically* I really am so tired of the cold. I want some warmth. My toes are so cold! My nose is so cold. I live in my thermals! So I fixed myself the last of my Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi soup that I made. I kept seeing the commercials and I love soup but going to Olive Garden is so tiring, the wait is so long, it is always so packed, and expensive. So I searched online for the recipe and made a pot the other day. It was DELISH!!!! And today I finished it off. Yum! And put the crock pot on with spaghetti sauce. And curled up here at my desk with my bowl of soup and a blanket and decided to read some blogs! And watch the snow fall, and fall, and fall. You get the idea. It is coming down. Lots of it. GREAT! Ok, so we are gonna have some more snow. At least my belly is happy!

Have a great day!

~a little blue~

2009-02-02T10:57:00.002-05:00

Ok, it is not often you will hear me say this but....I am sick of the snow. I am sick of winter! We are supposed to have another snow storm tomorrow and I don't want it!!!! Yes, that is right, you heard me correctly. Me, the girl who loves the snow is saying... ENOUGH!!! I am having a slight case of the winter blues... I want to open the windows and let the fresh air in, I want to hang my clothes on the line to dry, I want to start planning my seeds for the spring gardening... I don't want more snow. Yes, yes I know I told you that I love snow, lots of snow and being snowed in all day, etc. But now I am telling you that I am done with it. Not only has it snowed a lot here in Southeastern CT but it has been bitterly cold, too and that combination has been too much for me. I like my seasons. And this one is DONE!!! I don't even need to wait for the groundhog to tell me, but I know this is just wishful thinking... I know we are a ways from Spring. But a nice day here and there would go a long way. And maybe a pot of flowers. Usually my husband brings me home something growing and blooming around this time of year. He knows how much I love flowers and also, I put the bulbs out in the gardens after they have gone by. It has been a long cold winter and a nice warm day would be a pleasant change! So, a little bit of the winter blues... and more snow on the way! Great!

Have a great day!

~have a seat~

2009-01-30T11:08:00.002-05:00

I got these ladderback shaker chairs free off Craigslist the other day. I know some of you are probably saying "yeah, you got them free, cuz they are worthless!" but they actually are not in that bad of shape. Yes, the seats are worn, and I need to get all new seat tape and replace them entirely, but the chairs themselves are really quite nice.
They may need some work on the finish and I am not sure if I am going to restain or paint.

I think a lot of that will depend on what color seat tape I get to re-do the seats with. Although I really like the blue. Maybe a blue and cream check!

I love the shape of the ladder backs. They are very narrow and tall. Very shaker! Very prim. Well, these are my T2T find and I was quite pleased with the condition of them. Especially since Matthew and I had to drive an hour to pick them up and I only had a picture to go by, but I knew that they were something I really could do something with.

Have a great day!

~dirty dishwasher?~

2009-01-26T13:45:00.002-05:00

I cannot believe how dirty the inside of my dishwasher was but I used this stuff today and now it sparkles!!! I had this hanging around for a while and while cleaning out around under the sink I discovered it and decided to go ahead a use it. WOW!!! If you have never tried it- you should. After all, this is where you clean the dishes you eat off of. I can't believe the difference. Had I imagined how clean it would have made it I would have taken a before picture so I could have showed you both the before and after, but I didn't really think my dishwasher was all that dirty. It looks brand new (if it weren't for the fact that the stupid utensil holder is held together with tie wraps!!!). Even the racks are sparkling! I am not one to promote products, I am a skeptic! But this stuff is great! Ok, run out and buy some right now and use it, I will wait for your reaction...

Have a great day!

~my dawgs are barkin;~

2009-01-24T22:16:00.003-05:00

My feet are killing me! I spent the day helping a friend out at his restaurant and now my feet are hurting so bad. Really really bad. I love to help him, but they have hard tile floors and after several hours on those hard tile floors on my feet, my feet and legs are so sore. I think there has to be a better way to help then standing on my feet all day, but there really isn't and it is so cold there that I have to wear either extra socks with shoes I can fit them in or winter boots and neither one of those have great soles. When I was a young unmarried and right out of high school I used to waitress. I was good at it, I made a lot of money at it. A lot! I worked in Mystic. Tourist trap Mystic, Connecticut. First at a breakfast place, then I did a dinner place, then a bar. Then I bar tended at the bar. And I wore sensible waitress shoes. Now I don't have those kinds of sensible shoes. And my feet are paying for it. But since I am not really working at this restaurant, Dan and I are really just helping out a friend who is getting his business off the ground, I can't complain. But my feet are. Tomorrow I think I will soak in the tub and let my feet have a good rest! Tonight I have them propped up on the ottoman and I am gonna read some blogs!!!

Have a great day!

~looking for some help~

2009-01-23T17:02:00.002-05:00

Ok, first let me say I know this is a fuzzy picture, but it was of my whole kitchen and I cropped it down to the top of my fridge to show my calendar. And here in lies my problem. See my calendar? Well, last year I downloaded it, printed it, laminated it and put it on my fridge and use wipe off markers to put my months' appointments on it. I need to make another one for my desk. Portrait not landscape. But I cannot find any prim style blank calendars to download. I had some on my laptop, and as you know, I had to scrap that the other day, and although I tried to save as much as I could off of it, it was the most important photos and documents (otherwise I would still be saving!) and so even though I think I downloaded a few, they are gone. And I can't seem to find any sites with any blank prim calendars. Now I know that there are some of you out there that are frugal enough to print and make your own calendars. Someone knows where I can get a prim style blank monthly style calendar!!! So if someone can point me in the direction of a website that I can download a calendar I would be greatly appreciative!!! Thanks.

Have a great day!

~have you seen her?~

2009-01-23T08:17:00.003-05:00

This is my friend Mary. She is missing. I used to talk to her everyday. Some days more than once. But she moved and now I don't hear from her at all. When I call her I get her voicemail or she says she will call me back and she doesn't. We could talk for hours, about nothing in particular, and we could do it while we were doing our housework. We would go to the beach together. Go shopping. We had a lot of fun together. But again... she moved. Not far. Just over the river. About 10 minutes away. And now I never hear from her. I don't know what happened to her. Maybe those people there have done something to her. Maybe she has bought into all that snootiness. I don't know but I know I miss talking to her and spending time with her, so if you see my friend Mary, would you tell her that I miss her? Thanks.

Have a great day!!!

~Where do you blog?~

2009-01-22T10:29:00.003-05:00

Sue over at Country Pleasures invited us all to show "where you blog". Here is my space. It is a corner in my living/family room. I have been spending some time orgainizing this space lately. It feels good to know where things are. This desk is large and holds a lot of stuff but there are not a lot of spaces to organize with so I have had to add a lot of cubbies, jars, and boxes to do it. On the right side door there is cork board, but on the left I am hoping to get some metal board so that I can use magnets. I need to get new racks as first I have plastic and they are not strong enough and second, there are not enough of them. You see them to the left of my printer? They hold some of my craft projects that I have printed. In the cabinet to the right of the desk I have my extra paper, CDs, programs, etc. I actually need to get a larger cabinet. That one is full and I still have documents in boxes that I need to be able to get to. I have my box of photo CDs, my laminator, my camera tripod, and of course a candle for some scent of inspiration. So that is it. Now it is time for you to show us all where you blog!

Have a great day!!!

~technology woes~

2009-01-21T08:45:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I spent retrieving important documents and photos off my Compaq laptop before whiping the hard drive. You see I had a virus... a bad one... one that wouldn't let me repair, do a system restore, wouldn't let me update my virus protection, hijacked my internet....it was a bad one. So the only way to get it off my laptop was to whipe the whole thing clean. It took hours. And I still had to go to the college bookstore for Matthew's books and to the car service department to pick the Mustang up (it was acting up and wouldn't start- we don't drive it in the winter but start it occassionally to prevent this exact thing from happening, evendentally not enough!). So, now I have to reload all my programs- oh joy! I hate that. Not to mention that I had to move all my photos and such to my desktop and now my laptop is empty....

I was still trying to finish the updates from Microsoft at 9:30 last night. Fun fun fun! So, that was my day. In between, I did run to the bookstore and a quick grocery run, but most of the day was taken up with lovely tech repair. Computers...you gotta love to hate them.

Have a great day!!!

~more fluffy white stuff~

2009-01-19T18:19:00.004-05:00

Oh yeah, more snow today. My husband says it is my fault because I LOVE SNOW. And because my snowmen are like snow voo doo dolls around the house. I can't help it, it looks so beautiful out there. But I know it is a pain. He was out early this morning (4:30 ish) snowblowing and then of course the plows come along and plow it all right back in front of the driveway. But it looks so bright and clean out there right now. But in a few weeks it will be dirty and grungy and I will want it to all melt away, or have a clean new blanket of snow to cover it all up. And since I was all warm and cozy tucked away in the house today I threw a pork roast in the crock pot and it smelled de-lish all day in here. Now I am catching up on my blogs and waiting for "24" to come on. I may even venture out tomorrow.

Have a great day!

~a loss for all~

2009-01-17T13:59:00.003-05:00

Andrew Wyeth

1917-2009

I have the print of this painting hanging over my bed. It is one of my favorites. It is so simple and yet it is says so much. As a matter of fact when we re-did our bedroom it was one of the first things I hung back up. Andrew died Friday at his home in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. He was 91.

Did you know that M. Night Shymalan's film The Village was filmed in Chadds Ford and was based on Wyeth's paintings? Mr. Roger's had a Wyeth hanging in the entry of his studio home and Charles Schulz and Andrew Wyeth were good friends? Just some facts for ya'. Well, he will be missed. I still love this painting.

Have a great day!

~a yummy doggy recipe~

2009-01-15T08:46:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I said I made homemade dog biscuits as a retirement gift for one of our K9s whose last day on the streets is today! His police officer/handler Matt is being promoted to Detective and he will be spending his days at home now protecting Matt and Jenn's new baby come April. Someone asked me for the biscuit recipe. I did give Bella one of these yesterday and she gobbled it right up, and she is a doggie biscuit snob....

Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits

½ cups water(add more water later if required)

½ cup oil

2 eggs

3 tablespoons peanut butter

2 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

½ cup cornmeal

½ cup oats
Blend wet ingredients together. Whisk dry ingredients together and mix into wet mixture to form a ball of dough. Roll out and shape. Put onto a non-stick cookie tray or lightly greased one. Cook 20 minutes at 400 F. Turn off oven and allow the biscuits to cool in oven until crisp and hard. Store in airtight container.

I didn't add any extra water and I do have a 3" dog bone cookie cutter. It made quite a bit of cookies and I made them fairly thick. I do like to make them as gifts for friends dogs on special occasions, or on events such as this, but if you have a problem with store bought dog biscuit's you could make these. Bella prefers IAMS puppy biscuits and usually gets a huge box each year for Christmas. But like I said, I wanted to check to make sure these were good and she took it and crunched it right down. And believe me, when she doesn't like something she will let you know. She takes it from your hand and then drops it on the floor right in front of you! Ok, go ahead and try them and let me know how your doggies like them!

Have a great day!

~Whatcha' workin' on Wednesday~

2009-01-14T16:22:00.005-05:00

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for Leslie's Whatcha Workin' on Wednesday!

Ok, so one of our K9's is retiring tomorrow since his officer Matt is being promoted to Detective. I know, we are short a dog again!!! But, Matt's promotion ceremony is Friday and I thought people are going to be giving him all kinds of gifts, so I decided to bake gourmet dog biscuits for Ike. That is what I am working on today. Unfortunately I did not take any pictures of the finished biscuits before I wrapped them, but trust me, they look good!!! And they are all natural! Good for Ike. He will be off the road with Matt but since Matt and Jenn are expecting a baby in April he will have a new job protecting their most important addition. So besides my basic housework and getting ready for yet another meeting tonight, I made Ike a retirement gift. I hope he enjoys them.
Have a great day!

~but baby it's cold outside~

2009-01-12T10:43:00.006-05:00

Brrrr!!!! We are in the teens this week. Cold!!! Bitterly cold! I know this is New England and I expect cold weather, snow, sleet, hail, pouring rain, hurricane force winds, drought conditions, heat waves, but this freezing bitter cold temperatures has got to go! It is just too cold. You walk outside and your face freezes! Your eyelashes freeze! Your breath freezes right in front of your face and than slaps you in it to add insult to injury! THAT is just TOO cold! I do love how it looks, tho! Ha! The ice is just beautiful and makes for awesome photo shoots. If I would ever venture out of the house to take any photos, as evidenced by these that I snapped by opening the windows and holding my camera out and snapping then slamming the window shut quick!

Yeah, I know I am a wimp, but like I already told you, it is cold out there.... like 17 degrees! SEVENTEEN! That is cold. Is there a word colder than cold? That is what it is out there. And oh yeah, I gotta go out later, after the sun (the hottest thing known to man!!!) goes down and it gets even colder, if that is even possible!!! They are predicting that it will get worse this week. WORSE!?!?! COLDER!!! Are you freaking kidding!?! On the bright side there is only 67 more days until the monsoon rains of Spring start! Now THAT is something to look forward to!!! Ok, I have to go get some housework done! Maybe that will make me forget that it is Southpole like out there!!!
Have a great day!!!

~shine baby, shine~

2009-01-11T15:21:00.004-05:00

Finally got a new cell phone and this is what I got. A red LG Shine. I love red! And blue. And pink. But that is besides the fact. I got a new cell phone today to replace my old Razr. I love it. It is so shiny and bright and cool. Now if I can only figure out how to use it I will be doing great!!! lol!!! I need to find a way to get my ringtone and picture from my old phone onto my new one. I would ask Matthew as he is my tech support in this house, but unfortunately Matthew got a new cell phone today too, so he is all upstairs in his room playing with his new phone!!! Can you believe it?!?! I guess I can try and look online for cell phone for dummies instructions... I may find what I am looking for and figure it out before Matt gets time to do it for me... or I could just wait until he can do it. I don't know which one would be quicker! But for now I can just look at the pretty phone. It matches my new MP3 player! Which I got right before Christmas with my Sony points. My old one just died and I had enough points to get a new one because they were having a special half off for the holidays. I usually use my points to get Matthew new headphones...he always needs them... but this time I got myself a little something. It is 4 gb so it will hold more songs then I will ever fill it with (ok, so my old one I filled up and said I never would...I may eventually fill this one up too!). And I can store photos on it, too. Since I have an MP3 jack in my car I can carry my music with me in the car easier than cds or tapes.

We didn't get the BIG snowstorm we were supposed to. We just got a light dusting. Big disappointment! I don't know when the next snow is supposed to come but this one was a dud! Oh well.

Have a nice day!

~let it snow, let it snow, let it snow~

2009-01-10T11:37:00.003-05:00

So this is what it should look like here at my home today. We are supposed to have a big storm. Storm Carlos. It is supposed to dump 10" on the state. I love the snow. I love a good snowstorm. I don't love having to go anywhere in it and today I don't. Yay! We will see how many inches we really get, but for now I am waiting for it to start!

Have a great day!

a little bit of Country on the Shore

~* some more time *~

~* problems with blogger???*~

~* a giveaway *~

~* a renewed garden *~

~* hello prim friends *~

~* a giveaway *~

~* another egg makeover *~

~* a giveaway *~

~* I crafted!!! *!

~* I want to live a simple life*~

~* I need some craftin' time*~

~* I've been so busy *~

~* a swap out *~

~*love a knock off *~

~* a repair *~

~* a little early Christmas *~

~* my christmas gift *~

~* ta dah *~

~* whew, almost there *~

~* a big re-do*~

~* coming up for air *~

~* a new giveaway *~

~* I see the light *~

~* some befores and afters *~

~* new giveaway *~

~* hey, what's new? *~

~*ahhhhhh the stress is over *~

~* it's a giveaway *~

~* Whatcha workin' on Wednesday *~

~* a thirift store find *~

~*It's done *~

~* an update for today's post *~

~* a little sneak peak *~

~* just hanging around *~

~* a quick makeover *~

~ *turning old into new *~

~* a quick change out *~

~* I know, I know I'm a bad blogger *~

~*as if I'm not busy enough*~

~* What a way to open the season *~

~*the mill is grinding again*~

~* the hands of time *~

~* coming out of my sick cave *~

~* a little parade I've been working on*~

~* a giveaway *~

~* a little trip to the Goodwill *~

~* whew it's been a long time comin' *~

~* the runner is done *~

~*the ragman cometh *~

~* back in the kitchen *~

~* down and almost out...*~

~* the breakfast table *~

~* happy new years *~

~* the tree is finally done~ whew! *~

~* Whatcha Workin' on Wednesday *~

~* out with the old ~ in with the new *~

~* ho ho ho, ol' St. Nick *~

~* oh, the housework never ends...*~

~* it's a blogiversary! *~

~* it's a blogiversary giveaway *~

~* happy Thanksgiving *~

~* happy Thanksgiving eve *~

~* some more TS goodies *~

~* li'l st nick *~

~* a yummy post*~

~*my latest thrift store find*~

~*a new before and after *~

~*thank a veteran today*~

~*Hello dear blog friends*~

~*got a little contest*~

~*campaign season is in full swing*~

~* ahhhhhh, breathe......*~

~* I graduated *~

~*life as I knew it....*~

~*catching my breath*~

~*oh brother!*~

~*hello world*~

~*come on Spring*~

~*Little Parade, Big Party*~

~love a knock off ~

~ahhhhhh the stress is over ~

~It's done ~

~ turning old into new ~

~as if I'm not busy enough~

~the mill is grinding again~

~the ragman cometh ~

~my latest thrift store find~

~a new before and after ~

~thank a veteran today~

~Hello dear blog friends~

~got a little contest~

~campaign season is in full swing~

~life as I knew it....~

~catching my breath~

~oh brother!~

~hello world~

~come on Spring~

~Little Parade, Big Party~

~been gone so long~

~looking forward to spring~

~I don't have any time for my friends???~

~under control~

~Whatcha' workin' on Wednesday (a day late)~

~oh good, more snow~

~a little blue~

~have a seat~

~dirty dishwasher?~

~my dawgs are barkin;~

~looking for some help~

~have you seen her?~

~Where do you blog?~

~technology woes~

~more fluffy white stuff~

~a loss for all~

~a yummy doggy recipe~

~Whatcha' workin' on Wednesday~

~but baby it's cold outside~

~shine baby, shine~

~let it snow, let it snow, let it snow~